Wrestler adds to abuse allegations against UM doctor
Ann Arbor — An Olympic wrestler on Thursday accused a University of Michigan doctor of touching him inappropriately during medical exams at the school and said the physician’s reputation for such conduct was well known among his teammates.
Andy Hrovat, who competed for the U.S. in the 2008 Summer Olympics, told the Associated Press that the encounters with the late Dr. Robert E. Anderson happened during his freshman year in 1998.
“I would like to let people know that it’s OK to come out,” Hrovat said in an interview from his attorney’s office in Denver. “It’s OK to let your voice be heard.”
Hrovat is the first athlete to make public accusations against Anderson following complaints this week from at least six other people that the doctor sexually abused them decades ago.
The Detroit News first reported Wednesday that UM was investigating claims of sexual abuse by Anderson, a former director of the University Health Service who also spent years as a top physician for football teams by former coaches Bo Schembechler and Lloyd Carr. The university, The News reported, was alerted to the allegations against Anderson in July 2018.
February 21st, 2020 at 1:46 PM ^
Shit... that's right, I was only thinking about Bo's coaching career.
*sigh*
February 21st, 2020 at 4:17 PM ^
Let a single accuser come foward saying they told Bo or Lloyd and I will believe them, until then you can eat shit.
Really guys, are we really believing that Bo, Mo, and Lloyd would cover this kind of thing up to protect a punk ass team doctor? 1 of probably many team doctors. You can see the motive @ PSU and PSU. Joe was covering up for a coach he hired, MSU was covering up for a highly regarded olympic team doctor. Who the fuck is this guy and why the hell would a football coach cover for him?
If I am wrong and someone who worked in the AD or an accuser says they knew, then may they all burn in hell with the entire university. Until then, these Sparty trolls can fuck right off.
February 21st, 2020 at 12:24 PM ^
Look at this shit. The daily mail posts a pic of both Bo and Carr in the article ..has nothing to do with anything here.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8021103/amp/U-Michigan-says-se…
February 21st, 2020 at 12:30 PM ^
Except for the fact either Bo or Lloyd were his direct superiors for almost the entire time this was alleged to have taken place.
Aside from that, you’re right, it has nothing to do with it.
February 21st, 2020 at 1:20 PM ^
Coaches are not direct superiors to team doctors. That is by design.
February 21st, 2020 at 2:24 PM ^
Yeah, I’m sure that if Bo Schembechler had gone to Don Canham and said “There’s been accusations from some of my players of inappropriate sexual contact from Dr. Anderson. I want his ass fired right now!” That Canham would just said “Whoa there Bo, stay in your lane. You’re not his boss and I’ll decide whether or not he stays as the team doctor.”
I don’t care what the org chart says. A coach of a major college football team, let alone the one with the statute of Bo, is going to have the final say as to who works with his players, including the team doc.
They tried that “Well, he did everything thing he could do because he told the AD, who is his boss after all, about Sandusky and, after that, it was out of his hands.” Excuse to absolve Paterno of any responsibility. It was bullshit then and, if Bo is shown to have had any knowledge of Anderson’s acts, it’ll be bullshit there as well.
February 21st, 2020 at 3:10 PM ^
Knowing what we know about Bo, I doubt he would have protected a team doctor the way that Paterno protected Sandusky. I could be wrong, but it doesn't pass muster. What possible motive would there be?
If we hear a lot of ex-football players come out and say that they reported abuse to Bo and nothing happened, I'll be the first in line at AAT&P. We have an account of a wrestler who did not report any abuse at the time. We have an account of a regular student from 1971 who did report the incident, but he wasn't associated with athletics.
February 21st, 2020 at 9:50 PM ^
Don’t you fuckers work? If yes, could you hire me?
February 21st, 2020 at 12:30 PM ^
People, you need to understand that "pizzagate" is not about the Clinton's or some pizza restaurant in washington.
It's so much bigger and real than we can imagine...
Expect lots of cognitive dissonance from people about what's to come.
February 21st, 2020 at 1:35 PM ^
Well said.
February 21st, 2020 at 4:35 PM ^
wait did I miss something about pizzagate coming back? this is not sarcasm, can you explain the connection youre trying to make?
February 21st, 2020 at 1:32 PM ^
I’m a little confused? Isn’t this stating that the current U of M administration went through the proper channels in July 2018? From the Detroit News:
Responding to inquiries from The News about the allegations, UM officials announced Wednesday they were investigating Anderson and had received reports of "sexual misconduct and unnecessary medical exams" from former patients, most of them from the 1970s but at least one from as late as the 1990s. The university said its police department began investigating allegations in July 2018 and hired an outside law firm to conduct an independent inquiry.
"The allegations that were reported are disturbing and very serious," UM President Mark Schlissel said in a statement. "We promptly began a police investigation and cooperated fully with the prosecutor's office."
Asked Wednesday why the university did not publicly ask victims to come forward until after being contacted by The News, UM spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said, "The university took this action based on receipt of an initial review by the external law firm and the prosecutor's decision Tuesday" not to file criminal charges.
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Steven Hiller said Wednesday that his office finished its review of the case last fall and concluded that because Anderson had died and so much time had passed since the alleged incidents, that no charges could be filed.
February 21st, 2020 at 1:40 PM ^
The University should have announced an investigation as soon as they knew something. Not doing so was an attempt to protect the brand over potential victims. There was nothing preventing them from doing so.
And the prosecutor finished their review last Fall. An announcement could have been made then. What changed this week? Prosecutor made a decision of no charges this week? That has nothing to do with the University being open about this. And I think a victim going to media this week was the actual catalyst for Michigan to make public statements about it. That person doesn't come forward and we're all just talking about the Purdue game this weekend.
Michigan didn't make the existence of this investigation known 19 months ago because they hoped to keep it contained and especially back then when the state was in the midst of a Nassar feeding frenzy, announcing it then would have been difficult.
This is a public University, hiring firms to investigate something like this and keeping that a secret for 19 months is completely unacceptable. It reeks of the same thing we saw at PSU, "Oh, don't worry, nothing to see here, we had someone investigate it, we took care of everything and didn't think the public needed to know."
February 21st, 2020 at 3:53 PM ^
Such an inferiority Mr Sparty.
So you’re suggesting that if I, who went to Michigan 20 years ago, went to the university and said one of a member of the coaching staff that had died in 2008 touched me inappropriately while I was on campus, the university should call a press conference to announce they are investigating it and they should call this press conference as soon as I tell them of the abuse? In what world is that the appropriate thing to do?
February 21st, 2020 at 4:42 PM ^
wasn't he sued by someone in the past for this though?
if his employment records already have multiple other allegations...man the more i read the more worried im getting. i just read that the prosecutors office is saying they finished months ago bc hes dead so no charges to press. and that the university and AA police know that.. essentially saying "we're waiting on the prosecutors office" is just a stonewalling tactic?
If there is nothing to worry about why didnt we ask? how can the firm investigate without asking what else there is to investigate
February 21st, 2020 at 5:34 PM ^
You're not confused. You're spot on. We just have a lot of trolls flinging poo at each other and upvoting themselves for effect.
February 21st, 2020 at 6:46 PM ^
That’s the thing you’re most worried about in all of this?
Nice priorities you got there.
February 21st, 2020 at 2:33 PM ^
Nassar said what?
February 21st, 2020 at 4:28 PM ^
that he learned it from anderson in undergrad according to some clown on here! what a joke, this is michigan
February 21st, 2020 at 6:48 PM ^
Making jokes comparing sexual assault victims! Hilarious!
February 21st, 2020 at 2:41 PM ^
How is it that these doctors have been able to get away with this crap for generations? HIPPA? Also, I get what Nassar was doing to the gymnasts, but what were the OSU and UofM doctors doing to wrestlers? (I don't really want to know the answer.) Seems like these doctors had a death wish.
February 21st, 2020 at 3:22 PM ^
Not sure about OSU, but it's alleged Anderson performed unnecessary rectal exams on some of his victims and fondled other patients genitals while getting them to fondle his own genitals under the guise that he was showing them what to feel for to check themselves for STDs.
And it's alleged his patients felt like their athletic scholarship could be on the line if they made this doctor angry.
February 21st, 2020 at 3:53 PM ^
If you watch the OSU news story, it is pretty miraculous. Mark Coleman was one of the victims. He's went on to be an MMA fighter. Mike DiSabato, whom I know personally, was one of the victims. Neither one of these dudes would hesitate to rip someone's head off if provoked. I can't imagine those guys as victims, yet they were. Maybe it speaks to the influence that an authority figure has over kid.
Talk to your kids, people.
February 21st, 2020 at 3:15 PM ^
Dr Anderson was my internist in Flint in the late 50s early 60s . this news is very disturbing. He was a respected member of the community at that time. He told me he was going to M because his health precluded him from the rigorous daily grind of his busy practice
February 21st, 2020 at 3:55 PM ^
I guess I’m being devil’s advocate here, but what more could the University do on this one that they already haven’t done? The alleged perp is dead, the football coach and AD when these things happened is also dead as well. I mean it’s great that the victims are being heard but without the perp, it’s just their words. I mean anyone who was treated by this creep could now claim they were fondled. There’s no way to prove any of it.
February 21st, 2020 at 4:05 PM ^
There's never anyway to prove any of it. There was no way to prove Sandusky molested children except for the words of the victim.
And this stuff went on when Lloyd and Moe were coaches too.
School owes an accounting of any previous complaints against Anderson, and they owe an accounting of why they didn't make this public 19 months ago.
After that, there will probably be lawsuits.
February 21st, 2020 at 4:33 PM ^
Nassar and Sandusky were alive still for the trial and admitted to their wrongdoings. Kinda hard to do that in this situation.
February 21st, 2020 at 4:43 PM ^
Sandusky 100% maintains his innocence. Says he never laid a finger on a child. I think Nassar denies it too.
February 21st, 2020 at 4:50 PM ^
Sorry, I know as a Sparty, you are really trying to have this finally take down big bad Michigan, but from all that’s been reported Michigan is handling this properly. They immediately started a third party investigation in July 2018 when these allegations came to light. Once the outside investigation was complete, they presented that information to the prosecutor and the prosecutor decided not to pursue it because the perp is dead. Now they are offering a third party hotline for people to call if there is any additional info from additional victims.
February 21st, 2020 at 4:58 PM ^
Sandusky said during his trial:
“I could say that I have done some of those things," said the coach, Jerry Sandusky, in an interview by telephone with NBC's Bob Costas. "I have horsed around with kids, I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact."
He added: "I shouldn't have showered with those kids."
The Nassar Case:
Larry Nassar pleaded guilty in a second state criminal case in Eaton County court Wednesday morning. The former sports doctor for Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics admitted to molesting three girls, one of whom was under the age of 13 at the time of the abuse. Nassar also pleaded guilty in a separate case in Ingham County earlier this month.
At one point, Cunningham asked, “Do you further admit that this procedure was for your own purpose?”
Nassar briefly hesitated, answered “Yes,” looked down, and sighed.
February 21st, 2020 at 5:37 PM ^
Michigan fan for 40 years. Sorry, this investigation shouldn’t have been done in secret.
February 21st, 2020 at 5:51 PM ^
So you stopped rooting for Michigan in 2010 like the other bandwagon Sparty’s. Sorry your posting history proves your Spartyness.
February 21st, 2020 at 4:19 PM ^
Completely agree!!! Would bet my life that half of these "victims" are making it up for the money. We are not MSU. .This is Michigan for gods sake. Can't believe people are trashing the original Michigan Man like this. Bo does not deserve to have his name dragged through the mud
edit: through
February 21st, 2020 at 5:39 PM ^
Oh for the love of God, stop with all the "this is Michigan!!" bullshit. You're trying too hard.
February 22nd, 2020 at 12:24 AM ^
This is really weird how many Sparty trolls are so hopeful Michigan handled these accusations poorly. Very sick. Like not even exaggerating. It’s disgusting what you guys are doing. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
February 21st, 2020 at 6:14 PM ^
If Bo knew rip down that statue. Fire everyone that knew and did nothing.
February 21st, 2020 at 6:53 PM ^
Michigan did the right thing, they killed Anderson!
February 21st, 2020 at 7:45 PM ^
I hate to say it guys, but many folks on this website have been gleeful when this happens to MSU, OSU and PSU.
good wake up call.
this shit is likely to hit everywhere near the fan.
February 21st, 2020 at 9:21 PM ^
No words. We’ve been lied to this week.
we had the University Police handle the investigation! Did we learn nothing from Penn State? And we waited 2-1/2 months to even refer it to police?
February 21st, 2020 at 10:24 PM ^
Disgusting
February 21st, 2020 at 10:35 PM ^
Whatever Sparty, worry about your own investigations.
February 21st, 2020 at 9:45 PM ^
This seems like a big problem. I truly hope we handle this the right way and leave no stone unturned, no matter who it may burn in the end.
February 21st, 2020 at 10:23 PM ^
Or George Washington for that mass grave in his backyard. Or damn near every pre-20th century American leader for you know...rape and tons of other sick fuckery? Funny what people choose to vilify
February 21st, 2020 at 11:00 PM ^
Sure the Sparty rape culture is disgusting! Glad you are finally recognizing it. Too bad you jumped on the bandwagon in 2010. So disgusting you love and encourage the rape culture at MSU!
February 21st, 2020 at 10:26 PM ^
No way Bo didn't know. Sorry gents, but how could the athletic director not know about this?
Disgusting,. Puts us at PSU, OSU, MSU levels dysfunction. Uncover everything and burn it down. Let all those who knew have their reputations tarnished and let's handle this the right way, no matter the embarrassment it brings to our university.
The B1G East Division should be renamed the Pedo Division.
February 21st, 2020 at 10:56 PM ^
OK Sparty, sorry your pervert is still alive!! Michigan made sure their pervert is burning in Hell!! So glad the Michigan difference makes sure their pervs are six feet under! F YOU Sparty & Buckeyes who keep their predators alive!
February 21st, 2020 at 11:02 PM ^
Yep keep supporting my the rape culture at MSU, I know you are all for it! The Spartan way!
February 21st, 2020 at 10:33 PM ^
Yeah and the piece of shit is dead! Good riddance, fuck that bastard, I hope he rots in the hottest part of hell! He has nothing to do with the current administration.
February 21st, 2020 at 10:39 PM ^
Michigan killed that piece of shit Anderson!! Take that Sparty and Buckeye dbags! Let us know when Nassar and the wrestling coach are dead! Anderson is already rotting in Hell!
February 21st, 2020 at 10:39 PM ^
Michigan killed that piece of shit Anderson!! Take that Sparty and Buckeye dbags! Let us know when Nassar and the wrestling coach are dead! Anderson is already rotting in Hell!